Isabella Carter
The Oklahoma Constitution, formed in 1907, is approximately 50,000 words long, making it one of the longest in the US. It has been amended 140 times between 1907 and 1990, and voters approved 65 additional amendments between 1991 and 2024. The document has never been completely rewritten, but the frequent amendments have led to significant changes and made it even longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | About 50,000 |
| Relative length | One of the nation's longest |
| Number of amendments | 140 by 1990, 65 more by 2024 |
| Number of articles | 24 |
| Number of sections in Article II | 37 |
| Number of sections in Article VI | 35 (5 repealed) |
| Number of sections in Article XXIII | 12 (1 repealed) |
| Number of sections in Article XXIV | 3 |
| Number of sections in Article XXII | 2 |
| Number of sections in Article XII | 1 |
| Number of sections in Article I | N/A |
| Number of sections in Article V | N/A |
| Number of sections in Article VII | N/A |
| Number of sections in Article XX | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Oklahoma Constitution is about 50,000 words long, making it one of the US's longest
- The document outlines the relationship between Oklahoma and the US federal government
- It enumerates the rights of Oklahoma's citizens, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- The Oklahoma Constitution establishes the Oklahoma Legislature, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate
- The Constitution has been amended many times, including a 1941 amendment requiring the state to balance its budget
The Oklahoma Constitution is about 50,000 words long, making it one of the US's longest
The Oklahoma Constitution is an extensive document, totaling approximately 50,000 words in length. This makes it one of the longest state constitutions in the United States. To put this into perspective, the average state constitution in the US typically falls within the range of 10,000 to 30,000 words. Oklahoma's constitution is nearly double, and in some cases, even triple the length of these other state constitutions.
The length of the Oklahoma Constitution can be attributed to several factors. One of the main reasons for its considerable word count is the level of detail it encompasses. The document is highly specific, providing comprehensive guidelines and regulations for the state's governance. Each branch of the state government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, is outlined in great detail, with clear definitions of their powers and responsibilities.
Another factor contributing to its length is the inclusion of various amendments. Over time, the Oklahoma Constitution has been amended multiple times, with these amendments adding to the overall word count. Some of these amendments are relatively recent, reflecting the evolving nature of the document and the state's commitment to adapting its governing principles to meet modern-day needs.
The constitution's length also reflects the state's complex history and the desire to establish a robust and comprehensive framework for governance. Oklahoma has a unique past, having been admitted to the union in 1907, and its constitution reflects the state's diverse cultural and political influences. The document incorporates a range of provisions aimed at addressing the specific needs and characteristics of the state and its people.
While the length of the Oklahoma Constitution may be considerable, it is important to note that it serves as a comprehensive guide for the state's governance. It provides a detailed framework that outlines the rights, responsibilities, and powers of the government and the people. This extensive document ensures that the state's policies and practices are clearly defined and regulated, contributing to a stable and well-ordered system of governance.
The length of the Oklahoma Constitution highlights the state's dedication to establishing a thorough and robust system of laws. Its detailed nature ensures that all aspects of governance are carefully considered and regulated. While it may be one of the lengthiest state constitutions, its depth provides a clear and precise foundation for the state's legal and political landscape.
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The document outlines the relationship between Oklahoma and the US federal government
The Oklahoma Constitution, which came into effect in 1907, is a document of approximately fifty thousand words. It is one of the lengthiest in the United States, and its size is due to the frequent use of amendments—a process that has allowed for significant changes to the document. Notably, Oklahoma's constitution is unique in that it establishes the relationship between the state and the US federal government, with Article I stating that the US Constitution is the "Supreme Law of the Land".
Article I of the Oklahoma Constitution establishes the state's relationship with the US federal government and outlines various provisions. Religious freedom is established, forbidding any religious tests as a qualification for office, and polygamy is prohibited. The document also addresses the debts of the Oklahoma Territory, stating that they are to be acquired by the State of Oklahoma. Additionally, it mandates that public schools shall teach only in the English language, and it protects suffrage rights, ensuring they cannot be revoked due to "race, color, or previous condition of servitude."
Article II, entitled the “Bill of Rights," enumerates the rights of all citizens of Oklahoma. This includes the fundamental principle that all political power is derived from the people, and it guarantees their inherent rights "to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry." It also protects the right to peaceful assembly, prohibits interference with suffrage, defines treason, and guarantees the right to a trial by jury. Furthermore, Article II defines marriage in the State of Oklahoma as being between a man and a woman.
The Oklahoma Constitution also outlines the structure of the state government. It establishes three separate branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative branch, also known as the Oklahoma Legislature, consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with Article V detailing the manner of election and qualifications for members of each house. The Executive branch, described in Article VI, includes the governorship and offices such as the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and State Treasurer. Meanwhile, the Judicial branch, outlined in Article VII, establishes a unique court system with two courts of last resort, vesting judicial power in a Supreme Court, a Court of Criminal Appeals, and various other courts as deemed necessary by the Legislature.
The process of drafting the Oklahoma Constitution began in 1906, with delegates invited to address the Constitutional Convention. William Jennings Bryan, unable to attend in person, wrote a letter urging the delegates to create the "best constitution ever written." The resulting document was innovative, incorporating progressive provisions and drawing influence from numerous state constitutions, the proceedings of the Sequoyah Convention, and the US Constitution itself. On November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Oklahoma as a state, and the Oklahoma Constitution has since been amended numerous times to reflect the evolving needs of the state and its citizens.
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It enumerates the rights of Oklahoma's citizens, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The Oklahoma Constitution, which came into effect in 1907, is one of the lengthiest in the United States, containing approximately 50,000 words. It has been amended numerous times, with voters themselves initiating and approving changes. This process, known as the initiative and referendum, was included in only four other state constitutions at the time of its drafting.
Article One of the Oklahoma Constitution establishes the state's relationship with the federal government of the United States, affirming the supremacy of the US Constitution. It guarantees religious freedom, outlaws polygamy, and mandates that suffrage cannot be revoked based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude."
Article Two, also known as the "Bill of Rights," enumerates the rights of Oklahomans. These include the inherent rights "to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry." The article also guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, prohibits interference with suffrage, and defines treason. Furthermore, it ensures the right to trial by jury and defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
The Oklahoma Constitution also establishes the structure of the state government. It divides the government's powers into three separate branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative branch is further detailed in Article Five, which outlines the election process and qualifications for the House of Representatives and the Senate. It includes term limits, provisions for free debate, and limitations on self-serving behaviour by legislators.
The Executive branch is described in Article Six, which covers the governorship and the selection of the Lieutenant Governor. The article also establishes various executive offices and departments, such as the Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and others.
The Judicial branch, outlined in Article Seven, establishes a unique court system with two courts of last resort. It vests judicial power in the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Worker's Compensation Court, and other courts established by the Legislature. Notably, the Legislature has the power to dissolve any court in Oklahoma, except the Supreme Court.
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The Oklahoma Constitution establishes the Oklahoma Legislature, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate
The Oklahoma Constitution, which came into effect in 1907, is one of the lengthiest in the United States, with approximately 50,000 words. It is notable for its progressive provisions, including the right to trial by jury, religious freedom, and the establishment of public schools. The Constitution establishes the Oklahoma Legislature, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate, also known as the legislative branch of government.
The Oklahoma Legislature is a bicameral body, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which operate as co-equal houses. The Legislature meets annually in the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. There are 101 state representatives, serving two-year terms, and 48 state senators, serving staggered four-year terms. This ensures that only half of the Senate districts are up for election in each cycle.
The Oklahoma Constitution grants the Legislature broad powers to legislate on any subject, with certain "necessary and proper" powers to carry out the provisions of the Constitution. The Legislature has the authority to establish a state printing plant and provide for the election or appointment of a state printer. It can also dissolve any court in Oklahoma, except the Supreme Court.
The House of Representatives and the Senate have distinct roles and exclusive powers. For example, the Senate's advice and consent are required for gubernatorial appointments to high-level executive positions, while bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. In the event of a tie in an election, the Legislature can break the deadlock by electing one of the candidates by a joint ballot.
The Oklahoma Constitution also establishes term limits for legislators, with no member allowed to serve more than 12 years in total in the Legislature, regardless of the chamber. It outlines the manner of election and qualifications for members of each house, providing for free debate and limiting self-serving behaviour by legislators.
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The Constitution has been amended many times, including a 1941 amendment requiring the state to balance its budget
The Oklahoma Constitution, which came into effect in 1907, is one of the nation's longest, with about fifty thousand words. It has been amended many times, including a 1941 amendment requiring the state to balance its budget.
The Constitution establishes how the state of Oklahoma relates to the United States federal government, with the US Constitution established as the Supreme Law of the Land. It also sets out the rights of all citizens of the State of Oklahoma, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The powers of the Oklahoma government are divided into three separate departments: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
The Oklahoma Constitution has been amended 140 times between 1907 and 1990. From 1991 to 2024, voters approved a further 65 amendments. The document has never been completely rewritten, but the relatively frequent use of the amending process has made it longer.
The 1941 amendment required the legislature to balance the state's budget. Other significant amendments include one in 1966, which allowed annual legislative sessions, and another in 1989, which mandated short legislative sessions.
The Constitution also establishes the Oklahoma Legislature, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate, and outlines the manner of election and qualifications of members of each House. It also establishes executive offices and departments, including the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the State Treasurer.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oklahoma Constitution has about 50,000 words, making it one of the nation's longest.
Alabama has the longest constitution, with over 376,000 words. Texas has the second-longest, with about 87,000 words.
No, the Oklahoma Constitution has been made longer by the relatively frequent use of the amending process.
By 1990, the 1907 Oklahoma Constitution had been amended 140 times. From 1991 to 2024, voters approved 65 additional amendments.
